Best practice in learning disability and dementia

Abstract

Dementia is a particular concern for service providers supporting older people with learning disabilities. Until recently little forward planning had been built into services to prepare for residents to grow older, and cope with medical conditions of older age such as arthritis, osteoporosis or dementia. For people with Down’s syndrome, there is a high prevalence rate of dementia as medical advances mean they, as with the rest of the population, are living longer lives. Little is known about the views and experiences of people with a learning disability who have dementia or are living with someone with dementia in a residential setting (Wilkinson et al 2003, 2004; Lyngaard 2004) A three year research project funded by the Community Fund in collaboration with CARE1 has explored best practice for people with a learning disability who develop dementia - looking at what enables people to remain in their own homes and communities.